Content Preference

MikeL · April 26, 2008

Hey. Chapter 36 of Let the Music Play contained a thorough description of the explosion of a nuclear bomb. Earlier in this discussion, C James himself raised the question...

How is the technical stuff any different from a sex scene? Plenty of stories have sex scenes, yet the same criteria apply; some readers don't like them. I happen to be one of them. When I encounter one, I usually just skip over it.

I though it might be enlightening for everyone to express his or her preference in a poll. Readers may have any number of preferences for a C James story, but it seemed appropriate to limit the poll to the pair suggested by the author. Tech or sex? Please vote and give fellow readers a brief explanation of why you have a particular preference.

My preference? Sex scenes. They are entertaining and instructional. (Apparently, the author needs no instruction in sex since he skips over those scenes.)

Edited April 26, 2008 by MikeL

GaryK · April 26, 2008

It'll be interesting to see the results of this poll.

I know how sex works. I don't need anyone to explain it to me. Especially not in graphic detail like the nuclear explosion which I thought was totally cool and exceptionally well-written.

The suggestion or mention that something romantic and/or sexual happened is what I like in a well-written story. Leave the details to the reader's imagination. That's CJ's style and I happen to like it a lot. In some ways it makes his stories a bit more mainstream. Possibly worthy of publication.

That's my two-cents.

[Edit Reason: Clarifications]

Edited April 26, 2008 by GaryInMiami

Drewbie · April 26, 2008

I like both, and well written sex scenes, if a writer is not comfortable don't write it.

Like I said before I enjoy the tech details

Edited April 26, 2008 by Drewbie

Tiger · April 26, 2008

I chose the first one, because I think CJ is good at it. I also think he's a little uncomfortable with the second choice. I know he can do them, but he prefers to leave something to the imagination there.

FrenchCanadian · April 26, 2008

Having to choose from one of the two, I'll say it's how he's capable of describing place, how things work, and historical facts. it shows lots of research and I appreciate those,,, as long as they don't hinder the reading of the story

Lissa · April 26, 2008

The technical descriptions in this chapter fit with the story line, CJ is an awesome writer, and I learned alot. Great job, CJ!

Bondwriter · April 26, 2008

I'm the "Absolutely no preferences". What fits the plot fits the plot.

old bob · April 26, 2008

I know how sex works. I don't need anyone to explain it to me. Especially not in graphic detail like the nuclear explosion which I thought was totally cool and exceptionally well-written.
The suggestion or mention that something romantic and/or sexual happened is what I like in a well-written story. Leave the details to the reader's imagination. That's CJ's style and I happen to like it a lot. In some ways it makes his stories a bit more mainstream. Possibly worthy of publication.

[Edit Reason: Clarifications]

I support that

We don't need a lot of "sex" details ! And if I remember well, CJ is a bit shy in this matter

You see, CJames, I told you already you should find an agent to contact some publishers

Good luck !

TalonRider · April 26, 2008

Both tech and sex have their time and place. I don't need a blow by blow (pun intended) description of sex to make a story interesting to me.

wildone · April 27, 2008

Oh Wait, that's not how I voted

I really liked the explanations given by CJ. Actually, I think that by learning something that I didn't know, actually makes reading more pleasurable.

The unfortunate thing is that I could probably read something totally untrue, and still believe it. Fortunately CJ goes to great lengths to research items before writing about them. And if he later finds out he is incorrect, he lets us know.

rknapp · April 27, 2008

I've seen and read enough porn to understand the mechanics of sex. Nuclear physics on the other hand...

MikeL · April 29, 2008

Over 200 people have viewed this poll, but only 13 have bothered to tax their brains for a minute and cast a vote. Come on, C James fans, let us know what you think. Cast your vote and let everyone know your reasoning. Thanks.

Chapter 37 is out now. It contains more technical stuff (the bomb, how NORAD works, how air-to-air missiles work) and so far about 69% (interesting number, don't you think) prefer technical to sex or any other choice.

Exercise your rights! Vote now!

AFriendlyFace · May 8, 2008

My preference? Sex scenes. They are entertaining and instructional. (Apparently, the author needs no instruction in sex since he skips over those scenes.)

Well, I like both, but I actually ended up opting for sex.

...But that could just be because I want to see Chase naked

It contains more technical stuff (the bomb, how NORAD works, how air-to-air missiles work) and so far about 69% (interesting number, don't you think) prefer technical to sex or any other choice.

I guess the real question then is whether or not the person whose vote made it 69 really felt that way (presumably about the tech stuff since you and I seem to be the two sex voters and you voted first and I voted most recently) OR if instead he/she actually had such a big preference for the sex scenes that he/she did the math, saw the statement his/her vote could make, and elected to go that way to make an even bigger statement!

MikeL · May 8, 2008

Well, I like both, but I actually ended up opting for sex.

...But that could just be because I want to see Chase naked

I guess the real question then is whether or not the person whose vote made it 69 really felt that way (presumably about the tech stuff since you and I seem to be the two sex voters and you voted first and I voted most recently) OR if instead he/she actually had such a big preference for the sex scenes that he/she did the math, saw the statement his/her vote could make, and elected to go that way to make an even bigger statement!

Thanks for ratifying my vote for sex. I doubt that voter who triggered the 69 bothered to calculate the percentage that would result from his vote. What really has surprised me is that, of the 286 people who viewed the thread, only 17 bothered to vote. Of the 12 who commented, all but one were male. Thus far, no voter has admitted to falling asleep when reading a C James story.

Only two of us like sex; two others like tech and sex. Most of the rest must be geeks. Gay geeks...I hadn't even realized there was such a category.

GaryK · May 8, 2008

Only two of us like sex; two others like tech and sex. Most of the rest must be geeks. Gay geeks...I hadn't even realized there was such a category.

Think again Mike.

I'm gay, I'm a geek, and I'm not the only one!

Bob D. · May 8, 2008

So, I had to be honest with the poll, I fall asleep by the end of the chapters... I mean, who cares right? *IF* Cj was the Queen of Eviiiiiliest Cliffhangers, I wouldn't be so tired, right?

*couldn't possibly have to do with reading the stories at 3am...*

AFriendlyFace · May 9, 2008

Only two of us like sex; two others like tech and sex. Most of the rest must be geeks. Gay geeks...I hadn't even realized there was such a category.

I hear they're even starting to come out with gay hairdressers nowadays!

So here's a couple of questions regarding the sex aspect.

Do you think of Brandon and Chase as having sex?

Do you think of Helen and Barbra as having sex?

The reason I ask is that because CJ frequently makes mention of Brandon and Chase's sex life, or otherwise eludes to it, even if he doesn't describe it graphically. On the other hand I can't remember any explicit references to Helen and Barbra's sex life, despite the fact that I'm assuming it exists. Has this impacted your perception of the characters and their relationship, especially their sex lives?

One of the reasons that I really like sex scenes in a story is because it drives home the point that they are having sex, I being to think of them as a sexual, more complete couple, and even if at other points their sex life is merely eluded to and not explicitly described I still have something to visualize. I do like at least a few good sex scenes between serious couples in a story simply for this reason; to me it's an important part of character development with regards to the relationship.

Of course the next best thing is to mention that they were in fact (or are about to be) having sex. At least then it's explicitly said and brought to mind that, yes, this is a romantic couple and they're doing all the 'romantic couple' things. It's thus more tangible than not mentioning it at all, but it's a little bit less 'real' than if it had been described.

I'm not saying a story 'needs' sex to be a good romantic story. For example many romantic stories are primarily about the couples 'getting together' in the literal, we're-now-dating sense of the phrase. Of course these stories are okay without sex because the point of the story is for them to be shown 'falling in love' and overcoming obstacles to be together versus being in love and conducting their relationship on a day-to-day basis.

LTMP works fine without sex because the story isn't about Brandon and Chase's relationship: that's just a side story. However, I do have a very strong preference for serious romantic stories about couples during their relationship to include at least a few sex scenes. It may sound 'pervy', but to be a good romantic story about a couple I would similarly expect to see a few scenes of the characters comforting each other, sharing joy, making compromises, arguing in a healthy way, etc. For such a story, to me, completely omitting sex scenes would be the equivalent of the writer simply glossing over an argument or bonding moment with narration instead of allowing the characters to flesh it out in dialogue and/or inside their heads. As I said, LTMP works well with this style of approach to romance because romance is not it's primary focus. We similarly haven't seen a huge number arguments, compromises, or 'relationship work'. In this case that's fine and the tech details are probably more relevant to the story because they're more in line with the story's focus. I'm working on a story which has some medical/technical aspects, but I don't feel bad about minimizing the amount of details so long as the story is realistic and believable. These details are simply a plot device and not at all the point of the story, so glossing over them to some extent feels acceptable.

Anyway, I guess what I'm getting at with all of this is that the type of story should probably dictate the type of scenes expounded on within the story (go figure ).

Take care and have an awesome day all!

Kevin

Edited May 9, 2008 by AFriendlyFace

GaryK · May 9, 2008

You make some good points Kevin.

There are some stories I read because the story and the sex is good. LiS is a perfect example of that. Steve is a master at describing sex in a way that makes it highly erotic. I almost feel as if I'm that proverbial fly on the wall watching it all happen. It's stories like that which keep me highly aroused even during the scenes that aren't sexual. Of course overall the story has to be compelling enough to hold my interest otherwise I might as well read a purely pornographic story and I don't like those at all.

Then there are other stories like LTMP where the suggestion of sex is fine with me. I appreciate CJ suggestions that something is about to or did happen of a sexual nature and letting us fill in the details with our imagination. That way we can each interpret what happened in our own way. I'm sure what I imagine is different that what you imagine. That's a good think IMO.

LTMP is more of an action/adventure story so to me graphic sex scenes would not be appropriate. No more than they would be in a mainstream novel or movie like the Indiana Jones series of films.

So yes, I have imagined what Brandon and Chase do in bed. I've also thought about Helen and Barbara getting sexual. Although not nearly as much as I've thought about Brandon and Chase or even Eric and Jon's encounters with all those girls. I'll admit to having a hangup when it comes to lesbian sex. I have problems dealing with it and I know I'm not alone in that regard.

BeaStKid · May 9, 2008

Okies... I had voted earlier but couldn't reply due to lack of time...

I voted for the first option of lengthy description. But that was before reading the chapter.

If the poll is regarding the same length as it was in the chapter, then my answer would be no. That was too much details...

I like to increase my knowledge, but I think all that info in the chapter was redundant. But that may have been due to the fact that I know almost half of those things; me being a Science student.

I'm going on a rant here... So i'll just stop..

BeaStKid

AFriendlyFace · May 9, 2008

Then there are other stories like LTMP where the suggestion of sex is fine with me. I appreciate CJ suggestions that something is about to or did happen of a sexual nature and letting us fill in the details with our imagination. That way we can each interpret what happened in our own way. I'm sure what I imagine is different that what you imagine. That's a good think IMO.

LTMP is more of an action/adventure story so to me graphic sex scenes would not be appropriate. No more than they would be in a mainstream novel or movie like the Indiana Jones series of films.

So yes, I have imagined what Brandon and Chase do in bed.

Here's an interesting question, I considered making a poll for it, but decided against it since, as we both pointed out, that's not really the point of LTMP in the first place, but who do you think is the 'top' and who is the 'bottom'? Or are they versatile?

I normally tend to imagine the characters in a story versatile unless I hear otherwise. However, in this case, for some reason I really think Chase is the bottom.

I've also thought about Helen and Barbara getting sexual. Although not nearly as much as I've thought about Brandon and Chase or even Eric and Jon's encounters with all those girls. I'll admit to having a hangup when it comes to lesbian sex. I have problems dealing with it and I know I'm not alone in that regard.

I'm sure you're not alone. Personally though I love talking about lesbian sex

Tiger · May 9, 2008

Lesbian sex does not do anything for me. I'm not a straight guy, so there is really nothing there for me there. As for others like it, that's okay. I suppose reading about lesbian sex would be good if I were feeling amorous, because it would soon fade.

GaryK · May 9, 2008

[..]in this case, for some reason I really think Chase is the bottom.

That's how I picture it too. Chase seems like the submissive type in private. For all his dominance and bravado when playing the drums I think in private he'd rather get pounded than do the pounding. Pardon me for what might not be an appropriate analogy, .

FrenchCanadian · May 9, 2008

Here's an interesting question, I considered making a poll for it, but decided against it since, as we both pointed out, that's not really the point of LTMP in the first place, but who do you think is the 'top' and who is the 'bottom'? Or are they versatile?

I normally tend to imagine the characters in a story versatile unless I hear otherwise. However, in this case, for some reason I really think Chase is the bottom.

I'm sure you're not alone. Personally though I love talking about lesbian sex

I'd also say that Chase would be the bottom, but I'm more than sure that he does do some top from time to time.

About Barbara and Helen, well I don't think that it's even be hinted that they're having any sex. But, I'm guessing that in this case it would be just like parents,, we can guess that they do their share part, but don't really want to know about it,

Drewbie · May 9, 2008

Think chase is also a bottom, and Brandon more of a top, but could also see them both being versatile.

BeaStKid · May 10, 2008

me thinks they are vers...

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